Bradley Breezes To Victory L.a. Mayor Wins His Fourth Term

April 10, 1985|United Press International

LOS ANGELES — Tom Bradley, basking in the glow of the success of the Summer Olympics and his moment in the sun as a possible Democratic vice presidential candidate, breezed to victory in his bid for an unprecedented fourth term as mayor of the nation`s second-largest city.

Bradley, one of the nation`s most prominent black officials who narrowly missed being elected California governor in 1982, led City Councilman John Ferraro 66-32 percent with a quarter of the votes counted. About 35 percent of the city`s 1.37 million voters -- the lowest turnout in several years -- cast ballots.

``I can rightfully claim an historic victory, an election for the fourth time with the greatest margin in the history of this city,`` Bradley told cheering supporters Tuecday night. ``You have shown that this city elects its leaders not based on color or sex or where one was born or where one worships, but rather on the content of one`s character and the performance of that individual,`` Bradley said, adding, ``L.A. can lead this nation into the 21st Century.``

The mayor, who was interviewed by Walter Mondale as a finalist for the Democratic nomination for vice president, appeared confident throughout the campaign. Before making his victory speech, Bradley dined with his family in a hotel suite and calmly watched a telecast of the Los Angeles Dodgers` season- opening loss at Houston.

Ferraro had told supporters minutes earlier: ``I just recently called Tom Bradley and congratulated him. I told him we have to work together to make this a better city, and we will do that.``

Bradley, 67, reminded voters of the successful Olympics by using organizer Peter Ueberroth in his television ads. He spent his time on the campaign trail boasting he has redeveloped downtown and promoted a tax hike to pay for 1,000 additional police officers.

Ferraro, 60, and also a Democrat, actively sought Republican support and repeatedly accused Bradley of planning another run for the statehouse in 1986. Bradley aides said Ferraro`s bid for Republican support and his blistering verbal attacks were thinly veiled attempts to tarnish the mayor`s image.